CLINTON — An online threat earlier this week caused the closure of two Clinton schools.

According to the Clinton Police Department, both Sampson Middle School and Clinton High were placed on high alert and then on lockdown Tuesday after a message was received by Sampson County 911 stating “a student had a gun in a book bag with plans to use the weapon.”

The incident remains under investigation.

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Reward offered

on series of arsons

LUMBERTON — A $2,500 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for a string of fires set to vacant trailers, according to a Lumberton Police Department spokesman.

Fire has been set to eight mobile homes in Turner Mobile Home Park, located at 300 Pearl St. in Lumberton, Capt. Terry Parker said. The fires were set during the nighttime hours between Jan. 23 and March 30.

Anyone with information may contact Detective Yvette Pitts at the Lumberton Police Department or any member of the Lumberton Police Department at 910-671-3845.

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Bus driver charged

with child abuse

WHITEVILLE — A bus driver for Columbus County Schools was fired after being charged with assaulting a 6-year-old child on her bus. The child sustained scratches on his throat, according to the warrant.

Shantel Kemp, 36, was arrested Monday on charges of misdemeanor child abuse and felony child abuse, inflicting serious injury. She was released on a $1,000 secured bond.

The alleged incident occurred Feb. 22, according to the warrant. School Superintendent Alan Faulk said Kemp was suspended the next day. She was terminated March 17, according to Faulk. Kemp had been a bus driver since 2006, and there were no other complaints filed against her, Faulk said.

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Woman charged

with child abuse

RAEFORD — A Red Springs woman has been charged with child abuse after deputies with the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office responded last month to First Health Medical Pavilion in reference to a child who had sustained second- and third-degree burns, a news release said.